The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced decisions recently concerning the certification status of two Division I member institutions as part of the Association's second cycle of athletics certification.

Northern Illinois University and Idaho State University were certified.

A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.

The second round of athletics certification is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process. All 321 active Division I members participate in the certification process.

The certification program's purpose is to help ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations and to assist athletics departments in improving their programs. Legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.